Financial aid is money to help pay for college including grants, work-study and low-interest loans. Aid can come from the U.S. federal government, the state or the college.

• Apply for financial aid at www.studentaid.gov. NDSCS's school code is 002996.
• Complete the NDSCS scholarship application at www.ndscs.edu/scholarships.

Discuss criteria and procedures for opening a student file if you have academic or residential accessibility needs. An accessibility appointment may be scheduled at 701-671-2623 or NDSCS.Accessibility@ndscs.edu or you can meet with the Accessibility Coordinator during New Student Registration.

NDSCS Online Orientation consists of 7 online modules that provide key information for a successful start at NDSCS. All incoming students are required to complete the modules before registering for classes. 

Completion requires submission of the Now That You’re A Wildcat survey at the end of the last module. 

Upon submission of the survey, you will be able to select a New Student Registration day. 

      • Learn about Life as Wildcat, getting active and making connections. 
      • Find out about academic programs and success tools/technology. 
      • Gain information about costs and paying for college. 
      • Learn about the resources to support your academic and personal well-being. 

First, be sure to activate your NDSCS Wildcat account.
1. Go to https://apps2.ndscs.edu/accounts
2. Click the link for "Set up your NDSCS account"
3. Fill in the following information:
      • Last Name
      • Student/EMPLID
              *To locate Student/EMPLID, click here.
      • Birth month (2 digits)
      • Birth day (2 digits)
      • Birth year (4 digits)
4. Click "I Agree"
5. Set your new password with the following criteria:
      • Length of at least 12 characters
      • Have at least one character of the following:
            • Uppercase letter
            • Lowercase letter
            • Number
      • May not include any part of your first or last name
      • May not include consecutive numbers or letters (ex. abcd or 1234) 
6. Enter your recovery options in case you need to reset your password
      • Email
            • This must be a personal email account
      • Phone
            • Enter your cell number

Your family and friends may also complete the NDSCS Online Orientation modules by using the guest login. This will help them to be informed of the support and services that NDSCS has to offer. 

Click here for NDSCS Online Orientation 

NDSCS | Online Orientation

Once admitted, you can activate your electronic services. Completing this now will be helpful when you attend New Student Registration.

• Make sure it is the student activating these accounts, using the student’s information.
• Make sure you are able to remember your login information so you can access all of these accounts during New Student Registration.

Claim your University System/CampusConnection account – this is the system you will use to pay and view your bill, view your financial aid information, and complete the registration process. If you are a transfer student from another North Dakota University System institution, you will already have an account and can skip this step, unless you need to reset your password.

Activate Two-Factor Authentication – this is to ensure security.

Access your NDSCS email – this is your campus email, which you should check frequently

Activate your NDSCS Wildcat account – If you've completed your online orientation, you have already activated this account. This account also allows you to log into NDSCS computers on campus and the dining GET Mobile App.

Go to www.ndscs.edu/TechnologySetup to get started.

Review the on-campus living policy, complete the Housing and Dining application, see what you should/should not bring to campus, learn how to view your room assignment and roommates, and more.

Residential Life

Dining Plans

• Download the GET Mobile App to check your balances and view your transactions.

There are a few things you may need to complete prior to coming to campus and/or starting classes if you haven’t already:

• Ensure all final official transcripts have been received by Enrollment Services - MUST be received by your first day of classes. Questions: 701-671-2521.
• Ensure that Immunization Records (MMR, Meningococcal) have been received by Student Health Services (Questions call: 701-671-2286 or check with Enrollment Services). The NDUS State Board of Higher Education requires: two MMR Immunizations (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), immunity against meningococcal disease (for students 21 and younger; one dose after the 16th birthday) and TB testing for international students.
  • If you haven’t already submitted your immunization records, please bring a copy with you to New Student Registration or securely submit electronically
  • Deadlines for submitting immunization records:
    • August 1 – Fall Semester
    • January 1 – Spring Semester
    • May 1 – Summer Semester
  • For more information, including resources for finding your immunization records, click here.
• Contact your roommate to discuss who will bring what items (if applicable)
• Purchase the following:
  • NDSCS parking permit
  • Textbooks and other course materials/supplies
  • Laptops (click here for program-specific requirements). Staff will be available to answer questions and assist with purchases during New Student Registration.
  • Uniform (depending on program)
  • Tools (See Bookstore below for program-specific requirement). Staff will be available to answer questions and assist with purchases during New Student Registration.
• Sign up for Direct Deposit through CampusConnection. Students may receive a refund for various reasons. By signing up for direct deposit, any refunds you are due will be deposited directly to your bank account quickly and securely.
  • Direct Deposit Instructions

It is important to know what college costs, how to pay for college and what steps students need to take in order to receive financial aid.

• Apply for Financial Aid: Know where you are at in the Financial Aid process. Refer to ‘Steps to Apply’ at NDSCS.edu/Paying-For-College.
  NOTE: Financial aid is awarded (approved) for the academic year, yet it's typically divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters. Keep this in mind when applying for aid, as only half of your award will pay towards your fall costs, and the other half will pay towards your spring costs.
• Apply for Scholarships: Additional information is available at NDSCS.edu/Scholarships.
• Complete your Master Promissory Note, Entrance Loan Counseling and the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment at studentaid.gov. You will need the FSA ID you used to complete the FAFSA.
• Apply for Alternative Loans: You may not receive enough Federal Financial Aid for your costs at NDSCS. You will know if you will need additional student loans based on the Estimated Educational Cost printout you received at registration. A list of commonly used alternative funding sources is available at NDSCS.edu/LoanOptions.
• Submit outside scholarship checks to the Financial Aid office.
• Submit Paperwork/Payments from Third Parties to Business Affairs, if applicable (ex. Military/Job Service/Voc Rehab/College Savings Plans).
• Be sure you are prepared to cover your estimated costs for your first year. You received an Estimated Educational Cost printout when you attended registration, which included a first year estimate and an overall program estimate. If you are having difficulty finding enough funding to cover your first year costs, please visit with Business Affairs (payment plans, including toolkit payment options) or Financial Aid (additional aid options) prior to the start of classes. Additional information is available at NDSCS.edu/Paying-for-College.
• Be aware of the Semester Payment Due Dates which can be found at NDSCS.edu/Payment. Your semester balance should be paid-in-full by these dates, unless other signed arrangements have been made with Business Affairs.

Helpful Links

• Paying for College – this is the main page to learn about the cost of attending, paying your bill, refund deadlines for drops and withdrawals, financial aid, and more
• Costs at NDSCS - Know Before You Owe – this is where you can find tuition and per-credit fees, housing and dining costs, the ND Residency Application and the Minnesota Reciprocity Application (for Minnesota residents to pay a special tuition rate)
• Financial Aid – this is where you can find financial aid information including financial aid basics, how to complete the FAFSA, alternative loans, and more.
• College Financing Plan (example) - retrieve your personalized college financing plan via CampusConnection > Student Homepage > Financial Aid > College Financing Plan
• Paying Your Bill – this is where you can find information about semester payment due dates, how to find out how much you owe, payment options, third party or employer funding, refund and setting up direct deposit, and how to grant access to others.

The NDSCS Bookstore is owned and operated by NDSCS, and serves the college community by providing affordable textbooks, tools, course materials, and supplies to students.

• View our online store where you can order almost everything you need to succeed at NDSCS — including clothing and gifts, course and school supplies, and textbooks!
• Order your textbooks online here!
• Review your program's required tool list, and purchase through the NDSCS Bookstore for a student discount.
• Find mail and shipping services, including package delivery, at the NDSCS Bookstore.

Some programs require a laptop and/or have other specifications to ensure compatibility and support for required software.

Additionally, any current NDSCS student can purchase a laptop from the college’s ITS department.

Click here to learn more about the laptops and support provided by NDSCS or to see a list of program laptop requirements.

ITS staff will be available to answer questions or assist with purchases during New Student Registration days.

This is the system you will use to pay and view your bill, view your financial aid information, and complete the registration process including adding and dropping classes.

CampusConnection User Help - For step-by-step instructions for using CampusConnection

Learn about and apply for on-campus employment opportunities. Human Resources staff will be available during New Student Registration to answer any questions.
Student Employment Opportunities
9 Steps to Pay Day
Identification/Bank Information needed to work at NDSCS

Learn about the Student Success Center and Tutoring services available to all students. Your Success is our Priority!

• Student Success Center
• Tutoring

NDSCS Student Wellness and Advocacy believes holistic health is essential for academic excellence. Our services support students' health and wellness education through outreach, support, and resources. All services provided are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

• Student Health
• Counseling Services
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Prevention
  • Family Matters: Talking to your student about Alcohol, Cannabis, & Vaping
• Student Advocate